It's a big game for...

Mick McCarthy

“Louis van Gaal is starting to annoy me,” McCarthy wrote in his World Cup 2002 diary, the day before his Ireland side's crucial qualifier against the Netherlands. “He has been quoted on my employment prospects if Ireland lose and he seems none too concerned at the prospect of Ireland sacking their manager and me losing my job. That disappoints me. There is no need for Louis van Gaal to get involved in Irish football politics. Hopefully we can wipe the smile off his face.”

That, as Daniel Taylor noted this week, was exactly what they did. Before the game, Van Gaal had suggested McCarthy would be sacked if Ireland suffered defeat. Instead, on one of the most extraordinary days in the country's football history, with a superb midfield display from then-Manchester United captain Roy Keane, Van Gaal's were defeated. Soon enough, having failed to qualify for the finals in Japan and South Korea, the Dutchman was the one between jobs.

Now, the two managers meet again in radically different circumstances. You doubt, somehow, McCarthy has forgotten.

Remember when...

More than 20 years on, Manchester United's 9-0 shellacking of Ipswich Town still stands as the largest winning margin to have ever been registered in the Premier League. Andy Cole notched five past the hapless Craig Forrest in the Tractor Boys' goal, with strikes from the aforementioned Keane, Paul Ince and two from Mark Hughes completing the rout.

Player to watch…

Andreas Pereira

Van Gaal is expected to hand playing time to junior members of the squad and Andreas Pereira, more than any other player, needs to seize the opportunity. The Brazilian youngster had an impressive summer, performing well for both his country at the Under-20 World Cup and for the club on the pre-season tour of the United States.

His promising displays earned him unused substitute status on the opening day against Tottenham Hotspur and he hasn't made the teamsheet since. However, with Adnan Januzaj not at the club and his manager lacking depth in the forward positions, an eye-catching performance against Ipswich could bring him back into contention.

Form guide

Manchester United: WLWLWIpswich Town: DLLWD

Vital information

KICK-OFF TIME: 8pmHIGHLIGHTS: Channel 5, 11pm

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